Wednesday, 15 November 2017

The latest film of the Pakistani actress is likely to be
banned for 'objectionable content'

Mahira Khan's upcoming film Verna has been embroiled in a
controversy with the Censor Board fo Pakistan. The film has been refused
certification by the Pakistani Censor Board because of its 'objectionable
content'. Because of this, the Lahore premiere of Verna has also been called
off.

Reportedly,
Verna deals with the issue of rape and how it is used for power. Now, this has
become the point of controversy for the film's release. The film is directed by
Shoaib Mansoor, who is known for his hard-hitting movies like Bol and Khuda Kay
Liye.

A report on
The Express Tribune quoted the Sindh Board of Film Censors (SBFC) general
secretary Abdul Razzaq Khuhawar as saying, "The topic is rape, and the
culprit is the governor’s son. The film doesn’t have to be banned, and can be
tweaked and censored a bit to be deemed fit for release."

Khuhawar also shared that the SBFC will be able to certify the
film only after CBFC Islamabad's decision. "The film is yet to be viewed
by the full board and see if there are any objections,” he said, added the
report.

If several
other reports are to be believed, then, the film has already been banned by the
CBFC, Islamabad. The director Shoaib Mansoor had made an appeal for urgent
relief of Verna following which a board was to review to film on Tuesday night
before announcing its final decision. More updates on that are still awaited.

The movie was slated for release on November 17.
Verna stars Pakistani actress Mahira Khan as the protagonist who essays a rape
victim. It's a revenge drama that also stars Haroon Shahid, Zarra Khan and
Naimal Khawar.